Safety Policies

Shipboard Safety

The Master is responsible for the safety of all personnel
aboard the vessel. Posted rules and directions are to be followed
by all scientists, and special precautions should be taken
when hazardous conditions exist (e.g., excessive ship motion,
wet footing).

Hardhats are available and should be worn for deck work involving
overhead loads, cranes, and swinging equipment.

Work vests must be worn when handling gear deployed over
the side and any deck work at night.

The smooth operation of the science program requires continuous
communication between science and ship personnel. Keep the
bridge watch informed of your intentions at all times.

NEVER put any gear over the side without first consulting
the bridge.

The scientific party is responsible for securing all gear
in laboratories and science areas. Ask for assistance from
one of the technicians or crew if there are questions about
securing any equipment.

International Safety Management (ISM) Guidelines

New guidelines for safety aboard UNOLS vessels went into full
effect on July 1, 2002. These regulations concern working
conditions during oceanographic research cruises and are designed
to ensure strict conformity to all existing safety standards.
» WHOI Safety Management
Manual

The following sections of the guidelines may directly impact
the science party:

Safety Shoes - Anyone working on deck with
lifting equipment will need to wear approved safety shoes.
It is the individual’s responsibility to obtain and
wear approved safety shoes. This directly affects any overboarding
activities that the science party is planning, such as CTD
casts, trawls, dredging, etc.

Wet Weight Handling Equipment - According
to the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR), all wet weight handling
equipment must meet certain safety regulations. This certification
must be documented. This is especially important for science
parties that bring their own equipment to be used on the vessel,
as documentation must be produced to verify compliance.

If you will be bringing Wet Weight Handling Gear (Winches, cranes, blocks, etc), please contact the Marine Resource Coordinator to help you through this documentation process. It can take some time to finish this process, so the sooner you initiate contact the better.

Portable Vans - All portable vans must meet
certain criteria to be acceptable for use aboard our vessels.
The UNOLS checklist can be found here.

Hazardous Material Policy

A listing of the neutralizing agents, buffers and/or absorbents
required for the materials in the event of a spill.

Metal or glass containers with plastic shockproof exteriors
are recommended as storage containers.

Upon Boarding - Chief Scientist will provide
to Master:

An inventory of all hazardous materials brought aboard by
science party.

MSDS for all hazardous material.

Upon Departure - Scientific Party will provide
to Master:

An inventory of hazardous material showing all that has
been depleted, removed ashore, or properly stored aboard for
later removal.

Chemical Spill Response

The science party must supply spill kits for large amounts
and unique Hazardous Materials. This spill response material
must accompany the chemicals when they come aboard.

Radioactive Material Policy

For WHOI Research personnel, prior approval by the RSO and
Radiation Safety Committee is required for all work involving
the use of sealed sources and/or radioactive material on board
WHOI research vessels.

For Non-WHOI Research personnel who wish to conduct research
under WHOI’s Radioactive Material License, prior approval
by the RSO and Radiation Safety Committee is required for
all work involving the use of sealed sources and/or radioactive
material on board WHOI research vessels.

Diving Policy

All diving under the auspices of the Institution (i.e., aboard WHOI vessels or using WHOI-owned equipment) shall be conducted according to the regulations promulgated in the latest revision of the WHOI Diving Safety Manual. All research diving must be approved in advance by the Institution Diving Safety Officer (DSO) or Diving Control Board (DCB). Only those divers currently authorized by the DSO or DCB may dive under Institution auspices.

The Chief Scientist is personally responsible for ensuring that research diving activities are conducted in accordance with all applicable regulations. The Chief Scientist must supply copies of all diver credentials, completed physical examination forms, cruise diving plans and similar documents to the DSO and must nominate a Cruise Diving Supervisor (dive master) at least two weeks prior to commencement of the cruise. Specific information, requirements, and forms are available from the DSO.

The Cruise Diving Supervisor must be approved by the DSO or DCB and shall be responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the diving operations during the cruise. Other responsibilities of the Cruise Diving Supervisor are as follows:

Submit to the DSO or DCB for approval written emergency plans for the cruise, which must include an evacuation plan to transport an injured diver to a certified recompression chamber

Ensure, as a minimum, that there is a sufficient supply of oxygen and an appropriate type of resuscitation equipment aboard

Plan and conduct diving emergency drills

Ensure that a trial communication contact has been made with the Divers Alert Network and the Medical Advisory System (MAS) prior to commencement of diving operations

Submit all cruise dive logs and a detailed report of any diving-related accident, injury, or dangerous incident to the DSO as soon as possible

The Master of the vessel retains ultimate authority for all diving operations conducted from the ship, which includes terminating all diving operations if, in the Master’s judgment, conditions endanger the vessel or personnel. The Master or watch officer will relay information of dive preparations to other crew members, especially engine room personnel. The Master or watch officer must give a positive response to the research dive team before anyone leaves the ship. A small boat operated by a member of the ship's crew will be used to support diving operations. The boat operator shall be continuously aware of the diver's locations and shall maintain effective communication with the watch officer of the ship.